Computer Fundamentals

By Nikunj Nayak

CMS-Ganpat University.

What is a computer?

A computer is an electronic device that Receives data Processes the data it receives Store the data in memory or on some storage device such as a disk or

CD. Outputs information on a device such as a monitor or printer

Computers can be found in almost every aspect of our lives.

The first computers were used by the military and government installations.

The first personal computer was sold in 1977.

A computer system consists of the following components:

  Hardware: Tangible physical equipment. Software: The intangible set of instructions that tell the

computer what to do. This set of instructions is called a software program.

Data: The information entered into a computer to be processed.

People: The users who enter the data and use the output.

Computer System Components (Input-Process-Output Model (IPO))A computer system requires many components to do its job: It requires some device or method to input data so it can be processed. It requires circuits and programs in order to process the data. It needs some type of output device to give the result of its processing

to the user. It needs some mechanism for storing data.

BASIC COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Central Processing UnitControl

UnitArithmeticLogic Unit

System BusInput

DevicesOutputDevices

SecondaryStorageDevices

SpecialPurpose

Processors

CacheMemory

PrimaryStorageMemory• Keyboard

• Mouse• Touch Screen• Optical-Scanner• Voice Recognition etc.

• Visual Display Unit

• Printer• Audio-Response• Physical Control

Devices, etc.

Magnetic DiskTape UnitsOptical Disks, etc.

What does a computer do?As complex as some computers may be, they all essentially

perform only two operations:

  Arithmetic operations, such as addition, subtraction and

so on

Logical operations, such as comparing two values and taking some action based on the result of the comparison.

How are computers used?

Computers have changed everyone’s lives and are used every day for

  Education: Online instruction and degree programs.

At Home: Appliances and home security systems.

Business: Computers are used to track inventory, print invoices, track payments, and do just about anything a business needs to do.

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Computers in Society

More impact than any other invention– Changed work and leisure activities– Used by all demographic groups

Computers are important because:– Provide information to users– Information is critical to our society– Managing information is difficult

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Computers in Society

Impact of computers– Like the Impact of automobile

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Computers in Society

The benefits of using computers– As varied as users

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Computers in Society

Computers at home– Many homes have multiple computers– Most American homes have Internet– Computers are used for

• Communication

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Computers in Society

Computers at home– Computers are used for

• Business• Entertainment• Schoolwork• Finances

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Computers in Society

Computers in education– Computer literacy required at all levels

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Computers in Society

Computers in small business– Makes businesses more profitable– Allows owners to manage

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Computers in Society

Computers in industry– Computers are

used to design

products– Assembly

lines are

automated

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Computers in Society

Computers in government– Necessary to track data for population

• Police officers

• Tax calculation and collection

– Governments were the first computer users

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Computers in Society

Computers in health care– Revolutionized health care– New treatments possible– Scheduling of patients has improved– Delivery of medicine is safer

Why Study Computer Architecture?

User– Understand system capabilities and limitations– Make informed decisions– Improve communications with information technology

professionals

Systems Analyst– Conduct surveys, determine feasibility and define and document

user requirements– Specify computer systems to meet application requirements

Programmer– Create efficient application software for specific processing needs

Why Study Computer Architecture?

System Administrator / Manager– Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade computer systems– Maximize system availability– Optimize system performance– Ensure system security

Web Designer– Optimize customer accessibility to Web services– System administration of Web servers– Select appropriate data formats– Design efficient Web pages

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

Speed:

It takes only few seconds for calculations that we take hours to complete.

Computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second.

Accuracy:

The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy.

The errors in computer are due to human and inaccurate data.

Diligence:

A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc.

It can work for hours without creating any error.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

Versatility:

It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work.

You may use your computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory management or to prepare electric bills.

Power of Remembering:

Any information can be stored and recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of years.

No IQ:

Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instruction from the user.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

No Feeling:

It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and experience.

Storage:

The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data.

You can also store data in secondary storage devices

Categories of computers

Computers are classified by

1. Purpose and use

2. Operating principle

3. Size and processing capabilities

Purpose and use

Special purpose computers:

The machine and instructions are developed and designed to cater to very specific application.

  General purpose computers:

The machine can be programmed to suit different types of applications.

Operating principle:

Digital computers: The computer uses the data in the form of discrete numbers-the binary 1s and 0s. Most computers designed today, including the microcomputers, are digital.

Example: Global weather patterns and chemical reaction.

  Analog computer: The analog computers solve problems by

operating on continuously changing physical quantities such as electrical potential, fluid pressure or mechanical motion.

Example: Hydraulic Networks ( Flow of liquids through a sewer systems)

Operating principle:

Hybrid computers: Hybrid computers combine features of both analog and digital computers offering greater precision than the analog computers and more control capability than the digital computers.

Example: Guided-missile systems.

Size and processing capabilities

• Computer System Categories– Mainframe Computers

– Midrange Computers

– Microcomputers

– Client-Server Networks

– Information Appliances

Personal Computer (PC)

Professional Workstations

Multiuser Systems

Desktop Systems

Laptops

Workstation Computers

Network Servers

High-End Network ServersProcess Business ApplicationsLess Costly to Busy and Maintain that MainframesScientific ResearchEngineering AnalysisProcess Monitoring and ControlCAD SystemsFront-End to Mainframes

Large, Fast, and PowerfulHundreds of Millions of Instructions per Second (MIPS)Large Primary StorageSuper servers for Large Client/Server NetworksData Warehousing and MiningElectronic Commerce Applications

Used by Workers in NetworksSealed Low-Cost SystemsNetwork MicrocomputersNo or Minimal Disk StorageDependent Upon Internet or Intranets for OperationsStandardizationReduced Costs of Maintenance and Upgrades

Smart GadgetsCellular Phones and PagersHand-Held PCsWeb-Based GamesPersonal Digital Assistants (PDAs)

Size and processing capabilities

Mainframes: support thousands of users; used by large corporations. Mid-range server: Used by medium-sized companies and generally

supports hundreds of users. Supercomputers: Used for specialized operations requiring

mathematical operations.

Extremely Powerful Systems

Large-Scale Data Mining

Parallel Processing

Mini Supercomputers

Size and processing capabilities Desktop computers:

– All components fit on or under a desk.– Sits on your desk, table, or other flat surface– Have a detachable keyboard, mouse, and monitor

Laptop or Notebook:

Smaller and more portable than a desktop; commonly called a laptop.

Normally have keyboard, pointing device, monitor built in, but can be connected to detachable devices

Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) or Handheld Microcomputers or Palmtop:

Vary in size; provide convenient way to maintain calendar and address book

Can be held in one hand and used with a stick-like device to access features

Some come with detachable Keyboard

Mainframes Supercomputers

Trends in Computer System Capabilities

First Generation

First Generation

Second Generation

Second Generation

Third Generation

Third Generation

Fourth Generation

Fourth Generation

Fifth Generation

Fifth Generation

Vacuum Tubes

Vacuum Tubes

Solid-State Solid-State Integrated Circuits

Integrated Circuits

LSI, VLSI Micro-

processors

LSI, VLSI Micro-

processors

Greater Power, Smaller

Footprint

Greater Power, Smaller

Footprint

Trend: Toward Smaller, Faster, More Reliable, and Less Costly

Trend: Toward Easy to Purchase, and Easy to Maintain

Hardware\Computer Generation.xlsx

Babbage’s Analytical Engine ENIAC

Thank You.